Combination flatiron and clothes dampener



Aug. 18, 1942. P. J. FITZGERALD 2,293,336

GOMBINATIONEFLATIRON AND CLOTHES DAMPENER Filed July 29`l 1959 BY fl,

4 ATTORNEY: u

Ail@ 18, 1942 P. J. FITZGERALD 2,293,386

COMBINATION FLATIRON AND CLOTHES DAMPENER` Filed July 29, 1939 5 Sheets-Sheet` 2 A ATTORNEY.

COMBINATION FLATIRON AND CLOTHES DAMPENER Filed July 29, 1939 3 Sheqts-Sheet 3 ,INVENTOR PAW/cx /Frzaf-em o.

Patented Aug. 18, 1942 UNITED STATES NPATENT OFFICE` COMBINATION FLATIRON CLOTHES DAMPENER Patrick J. Fitzgerald,Torrington,` Conn., assignor `to The Fitzgerald Manufacturing Company,

Torrington, Conn., a co cut rporation of Connecti- Appliontion August 29, 1939, serial No. 292,416 i (c1. ss-rzs) Claims.

This invention has to do wana combination primarily with a novel assembly of these mechanlsms.

A conventional present day iron particularly one which is electrically heated,l ordinarily comprises an iron body having a pointed nose and `rlatiron 'and clothes dampener and is concerned a substantially square or blunt heel, The iron body carries a handle which is used in manipulating the iron, and the iron body also carries terminals or binding posts for connection with `an electric cord, and a control switch for controlling va protuberance or projecting part which might be easily damaged. I

With all of these conditions in mind this invention has in view, as an object, the provision of a combination flatiron and clothes dampener` of the character above noted in which the handle at the nose of the iron includes a iront post that defines, with the main body portion of the handle, a nook or corner. `Positioned in this nook orcorner is a trigger which is operatively cony nected by suitable means within the handle housing to the force pump of the dampening mechanism.

Another somewhat more detailed object of the invention is the provision of an arrangement of the character above noted in which spring means are included as a part of the force pump, and which spring means normally maintainthetrigger in iron. With the location of the spray nozzle and the waterreservoir xed by these conditions of usage, it is obviously necessary to connect the water reservoir with the spray nozzle and include in the mechanism a force pump for causing the Water to issue from the spray nozzle as a spray. With the foregoing conditionsin mind this invention has inview, as its foremost objective, the provision of a combination llatiron and clothes dampener of the .character above noted in which the handle for the iron takes the form of a housing, and which housing receives the connections between the spray nozzle at the nose,

and the reservoir at the heel.

Another important object of the invention is to provide, in a combination ilatiron and clothes dampener of the character above noted, a tubular connection extending directly from the water reservoir at the heel, through the handle `to the spray nozzle at the nose, and which tubular connection has associated therewith a force` pump which is housed either by the tank or the handle.

In arranging clothes dampening mechanism with a atiron in accordance with the practice above outlined `the vprovision of an operating instrumentality for the pump is a feature of importance. It is obviously of the utmost desirability to have the operating instrumentality lo-` cated at a position in which it may be readily `operated by accident. Moreover, it is desirable that the operating instrumentality be so arranged with the handle as `to readily blend in with the design thereof and not take the form of its forward position in which it is ready for operation by having the finger of the operator press thereagainst. Upon release of pressure from the trigger the spring always returns the same to this forward position. i

A further object of the invention is the provision of a combination liatiron and clothes dampener of the character above noted in which the handle includes front and rear posts which are connected by the grip portion of a handle. The rear post preferably takes` the form of a hollow structure which opens into the housing defined by the grip portion of the handle. This hollow rear post preferably encloses therewithin the terminals or binding posts of the electric iron, and an electric cord passes through an opening in the side wall of the rear post and is connecte to these terminals.

A ,further object of the invention is the pro- `vision of an arrangement such as set forth in the preceding paragraph in which the rear facefof the rear handle post is open, and on which open face is mounted the water reservoir. Thus the water reservoir may be assembled with the handle of the iron in a compact and sturdy manner. This feature is of importance because the reser- `voir is designed to constitute a stand on which the iron may be rested when not in use.

Various other more detailed objects and advantages such as those which arise in connection with mounting the water reservoir on the rear post of the handle, the particular arrangement of the trigger mechanism in the handle, and the positioning of the spray nozzle at the nose, will in part become apparent, and in part be hereinafter stated, as the description of the invention proceeds, o

The invention, therefore, comprises a combination Tlatiron and clothes dampeningv mechanism in which the atiron consists of an iron body having a pointed nose and a substantially in an upright position square heel, and from which iron body upstands a front handle post, a rear handle post that is hollow,-and which handle posts are connected by a grip portion that takes the form of a hollow housing. The clothes dampening mechanism comprises a Water reservoir that is anchored to the rear handle post, a spray nozzle that projects forwardly from the front handlevpost over the nose of the iron, and tubular connections that extend from the water reservoir through the handle housing to the spray nozzle. A force pump is associated with these tubular connections, and a trigger is provided at the forward end of the grip portion of the handle therebeneath for operation of the pump. The hollow rear handle post houses the electrical terminals or binding posts, and an electric cord passes throughr a wall of this rear handle post and is connected to these terminals.

For a full and more complete understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following description and accompanying drawings, .wherein Figure 1 is a side view partly in section and partly in elevation of a combination flatiron and clothes dampener made in accordance with the 'precepts of this invention,

Figure 2 is another side view partly in section and partly in elevation developing the tubular connections extending from within the water reservoir to thespray nozzle at the nose. These connections and the force pump associated therewith are shown with the iron structure and water tank removed.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detailed view of the spray nozzle, while Figure 4 is a similar view of the'end of the tubular connection which is received in the reservoir,

Figure 5 is a rear view of the water reservoir per se,

vFigure 6 is a rear view of the handle of the iron with the Water reservoir removed, and

Figure 7 is a side view partly in section and partly in elevation of a handle embodying one modification of the invention.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts, and more particularly to Figure 1, the present invention is illustrated and described at it is applied to an iron of the electric type. The electric iron is shown as comprising an iron body which is referred to generally by the reference character B, and a handle which is identified in its entirety by the reference character H. The iron body B includes a lower structure I having an ironing surface I I.

This structure II) has a pointed nose at I2, and a substantially square or blunt heel at I3. The iron body B also includes an upper structure I4 having a pointed nose blending in with the nose I2, and a square or blunt heel at I which is upraised and spaced rearwardly of the heel I3. This upper structure I4 carries, beneath the handle H, a control switch designated I 6, and upstanding from the upper part I4 of the iron body B are a pair of terminals I1.

While the iron body B is made from metal, the handle H is, of course, made from some good heat insulating material such as a rubber com-V position or a phenol condensation product.

The handle H includes a. front handle post I3 which preferably takes a slant orincline corresponding to the inclination of the pointed nose rear or inner face of the front post I3 is of a grooved formation providing side anges I9 which partially receive therebetween a trigger, as will be hereinafter pointed out.

It will be noted that the front post I 8 is narrower at the top where it joins in with the grip portion of the handle, and is wider at the bottom, and thesame relative dirnensioning of the parts is carried out in the groove formation defined by the flanges I9, the groove being narrower at the top and wider at the bottom.

One of these side walls I9 is cut out, as indicated at 20, to provide space for the insertion of the forenger of the users hand. This will also be explained more in detail in connection with the trigger which is to be later described. At the top the front handle post I8 is formed with an opening 2| which communicates with the grip portion of the handle.

The handle H includes a rear handle post deflned by an inner wall 22, and side walls 23 and 24 (see Figure 6). It will be noted from both Figures 1 and 6 that these walls 22, 23 and 24 receive therewithin the terminals I1. As shown in Figure 6, an electric cord is designated 25, and passes through an opening 26 in the side wall 24. The insulating conductors making up the cord 25, which are designated 21, are connected to the terminals I1 in the manner shown in Figure 6.

Referring again to Figure 1, the inner wall 22 and the side Walls 23 and 24 are integrally connected at the top with the grip portionof the handle which is designated 28. This grip portion 28 takes the form of a hollow housing which defines a front recess 29 which communicates both with the opening 2l in the front handle post I2 so as to aord a streamline appearance. 4The 7l I8, and the groove formation defined by the flanges I9. The grip portion 28, on its underface, is-provided with a slot at 30 that is substantially a continuation of the groove formation defined by the anges I9, and which slot, of course, opens into the recess 29.

Extending rearwardly of the recess 29 and the grip portion 29 is a circular bore 3I which has opening into one side thereof a small, partially circular passage 32. post the bore 3| is enlarged, as shown at 33, the enlargement being defined by a shoulder at 34. The termination of the passage 32 at one side is represented by the shoulder 35.

'Ihe rear edges of the side walls 23 and 24 are inclined and provided with faces 36 (see Figure 6), which are adapted to have a water reservoir fit snugly thereagainst, as will be hereinafter pointed out.

Extending intothe walls 23 and 24 from the faces 36 are openings 31 which are threaded. These side walls 23 and 24 are connected at the bottom by a bar-like wall 39 which has a face in substantially the same plane as the faces 33. The water reservoir is also intended to snugly engage the face of this wall 39.

Referring now more particularly to Figures 1 and 5, a water reservoir is referred to in its entirety by the reference character R, and is shown as comprising a tank defined by an inner wall 39, an outer wall 40, bottom 4I, top 42, and side walls 43. Extending between the inner wall 39 and the outer wall are a plurality of sleeves 44. the walls 39 and 40 being formed with openings which communicate with the bores 'of the sleeves 44.

When the water reservoir R is in position on the iron, as shown in Figure 1, the inner wall 39 bears against the faces 39 of the side walls 23 and Just before the rear handle 24, and the corresponding face of the #all 38.

the openings 31 and Vare screwed thereinto, thus` securely anchoring the water reservoir R in position on the rear handle post.`

It will benoted that the top wall 42 of the reservoir R is provided with a threaded opening, as shown at 46, and thislthreaded opening `ordinarily receives a closure in the form of a threaded plug 41, and this closure may carry an air vent for `the reservoir, as represented at 48.

It will benoted from `Figure `1 that a portion of the inner wall 39 of the water reservoir R which is received between thewalls 23 and 24 is deformed to provide an ollset wall 49,` which is provided with an opening 50. The edge oi' the wall 49 about this opening-58 is clamped between a split collar (see Figures l and 2) and a washer 52. The split collar 5| and the washer 52 are `positioned about an exteriorly threaded bushing 53, which bushing has a flange 54 engaging the washer 52.

A pump cylinder designated 55 has a bore 56 (see Figure 2) which is .interiorly threaded at its open end, as shown at 51. The bushing 53 is threaded into these threads 51 to effect the clamped relationship of the wall 49 between the split collar 5| and washer 52. This pump cylinder 55 has an end wall at 63 formed with an opening at 64 through which passes a tubular member 58.

Referring now again more particularly to Figure 1 it will be noted that the pumpk cylinder 55 is positioned within the water reservoir R, and that the tubular member 58 extends from the closed end 63 downwardly to a point closely adja cent to the bottom wall 4| of the water reservoir. As shown more particularly in Figure 4. the tubular member 58 is threaded at its lower extremity, and screwed on this threaded extremity is a cupshaped member 59 having an end wall formed with a small opening 60. A ball valve member 6| normally closes the opening 60, and is maintained in seated position by a spring 62 that is interposed between the end of the tubular mem'.

ber 58vand the ball 6|. It is obvious that the ball 6| may be unseated from the opening 60 against the influence of the spring 62. l

Referring now to Figure 2, the tubular member 56 extends through the pump cylinder 55 and is in spaced relation with respect to the walls thereof. Adjacent the end wall 63 the tubular member 58 is formed with aplurality of small openings 65 which establish communication with the interior of the pump cylinder. A piston of cups'haped formation is shown at 66, and is slidable in the bore 56. A coil spring 61 is positioned within the cylinder 55 andsurrounds the tubular member 58. This spring 61 bears at one end against the wall 63, and at the other is received within the recess provided by the cup-shaped piston 66. The spring 61 normally maintains the piston 66 in its outermost position with respect to the cylinder 55.

A slide sleeve 68 having a ilange 9 at one end thereof encompasses the tubular member 56 and passes through the bushing 53. This sleeve 66 is slidable on the tubularmember 56 and within the bushing 53, and the flange 9 engages the plston 66. Thus when the sleeve 684is urged towards the end wall 63 of the pump cylinder 55 the piston 66 is depressed against the influence of the spring 61.

Another slide sleeve 69is positioned about the tubular member 58 and bears against one end of the slide sleeve 68.

As shown in Figure 1, the slide sleeve 63 is positioned Within the enlarged bore 33 of the grip portion26 of the handle H, while the tubular member 58 extends through the bore 3|. A ilexible conduit 1|)v is connected to the tubular member 58 adjacent the front end of the bore 3|, and this Vflexible conduit extends across the recess 28 and through the opening 2|. This flexible conduit is bent downwardly to assume an inclination corresponding to that of the nose I2 and the front edge of the handle post |8, and at itslower end carries a spray nozzle designated 1|.

The spray nozzle 1| is shown in detail in Figure 3, and comprises a tubular stub 12 that extends outwardly Irom the flexible conduit 10. This flexible stub 12 has an open end which denes a valve seat 13. Positioned about the member 12 is a-cup-shaped member 14 havingan end Y wall 15 formed with a small opening 16. A ball valve member 11 is seated on the valve seat 13 and is commonly maintained in position thereon by a spring 18 that bears against the end wall 15. Pressure of uid coming through the ilexible conduit 1|) may unseat `the ball valve 11 from the valve seat 13 against the inuence of the spring 18 to permit the ejection of spray `through the opening 16.

However, in the absence of any pressure of fluid within the conduit 18 the spring 1,8 maintains the ball 11 in sealing position.

Referring now again to Figure `1, the tubular passage 32 is shown as receiving a push rod 19 which, at one end, bears against the slide sleeve 68. At the other end a disk member 80 that is pivotally mounted, as shown at'8l, on atrigger member 82, bears against this push rod: 19. The trigger 82 is pivotally mounted within the recess 29, as shown at 83. and has a finger grip shown at 84 designed to normally receive the foreflnger of a persons hand that is grasping the grip portion 28 of the handle H. i

It will be noted that forward movement of the slide sleeve 69 within the enlarged bore 33 is lirnited by the shoulder 34, and that the sleeve 69 particularly free by reason of the cord 25 coming in at the side of the rear handle post. When the user is desirous of ejecting a spray from the spray' nozzle 1| to dampen clothes being ironed, he inserts his foreflnger in front of the portion 84 of the trigger 82, the cut out part 2U readily permitting of this insertion,

The trigger 84 is now pulled rearwardly in the usual mode of voperating triggers.V ThisY rearward movement causes the disk to press against the front end of the push' rod19. This push rod 19 `transmits the motion to the slide sleeve 69 which is urged rearwardly and in turn'moves the slide sleeve 68 rearwardly. As the flange 8' of the slide sleeve 68 is in engagement with the piston 66, the latter is moved downwardly in the pump cylinder against the iniluence of the spring 61.

This downward movement of the piston causes a compression of the contents of the pump cylinder 55. 'I'hus water is forced through the openings 65, out through the tubular member 58 and flexible conduit l0, out of the spray nozzle 1l.

It will be remembered that the one-way valve mechanism at the lower end of the tubular member 58 prevents any return of the water to the reservoir R. Upon release of the operators forenger from the trigger 82 the spring 61 is rendered effective to return the piston 66 to its outermost position, which, of course, is accompanied by a return of the slide sleeves 68 and 69 and push rod 19 to their normal positions.

On outward movement of the piston 66 the check valve in the spray nozzle 'll closes the end of the tubular member 12. Thus there is an attenuation of air or creation of partial vacuum Within the pump cylinder 55. This causes water to be drawn from the reservoir R, through the opening 60, past the ball valve 6I into the bore 56 of the pump cylinder, and the dampening mechanism is again in condition for having the trigger depressed when occasion demands for the spraying of clothes.

It will be noted that the reservoir R is assembled with the handle in a compact and sturdy manner. The compact arrangement provides the utmost degree in freedom of manipulation of the iron, and the positive and sturdy connection assures that the iron may be rested on the outer wall l of the reservoir R in an upright position lwhen not in use, with a high degree of stability.

It will also be noted that the front handle posts I8 constitute a trigger guide for the trigger 82, which insures against accidental operation of the trigger, and further insures against damage by the trigger accidentally striking against objects during handling.

In the form of the invention illustrated in Figures l to 6, inclusive, and above described, the pump is shown as being positioned within the water reservoir R. It is evident, however, that the pump mechanism might well be positioned within the housing afforded by the handle H, such an arrangement being depicted in Figure '7.

Referring now to this view, it will be noted that the tubular member 58 extends into the water reservoir R in substantially the same way as described. Moreover, a split collar and washer corresponding to the parts I and 52 may be employed in anchoring the tubular member to the offset wall 49 of the water reservoir. However, it would be necessary to supplement these parts by the nuts shown at 85 and 86respectively. When this arrangement is employed the pump cylinder 55 is positioned in the upper part of the rear handle posts 58 and is sprayed in exactly the same manner as has been described.

While preferred specific embodiments of the invention are hereinbefore4 set forth it is to be clearly understood that this invention is not to be limited to the exact constructions illustrated and described, because various modifications of these details may be provided in putting this invention into practice within the purview of the appended claims.

I claim: v

1. A combination fiatiron and clothes dampener comprising an iron body having a nose and a heel, a hollow handle carried by said iron body, a spray nozzle carried by said handle above said nose, a water reservoir carried by said handle over said heel, a tubular connection extending 1 v:from within said reservoir through said handle to the said spray nozzle, a pump within said reservoir and associated with said tubular connection to force water therethrough, an operating member carried by the handle, and operating connections between said operating member and said pump, said operating connections being housed within said handle.

2. A combination atiron and clothes dampener comprising an iron body and a. handle carried by said iron body and including front and rear handle posts and a grip portion, a spray vnozzle carried by the handle at the front end, a

water reservoir carried by the handle at the rear, a tubular connection extending from said water reservoir to said spray nozzle, a pump arranged to force water through said tubular connection, the front handle post and grip portion of the handle defining a corner, and a trigger pivotally mounted on the grip portion of the handle and located in said corner, and connections between said trigger and said pump.

3. A combination atiron and clothes dampener comprising an iron body, a handle carried by said iron body, said handle being of hollow construction, a spray nozzle at one endV of said handle, a water reservoir at the other end of said handle, a tubular connection extending from said water reservoir through said handle to the spray nozzle, a pump housed within the end of said handle adjacent said water reservoir and operable to force water through said tubular connection, an operating member carried by the handle at the end adjacent said spray nozzle, and operating connections between said operating member and said pump, said operating connections beinghoused within said handle.

4. A combination flatiron and clothes dampener comprising an iron body, a handle carried by the iron body, a spray nozzle at one end of said handle, a water reservoir having a wall formed with an opening, a tubular member extending through said opening and having an inlet within said water reservoir, means for clamping said tubular element to the wall of said reservoir about said opening, said tubular element extending through said handle to the spray nozzle, a pump cylinder dened by a cylindrical wall that is spaced from and disposed about said tubular member, said pump cylinder having a closed end, a ring-like piston enclosing said tubular member and movable in said pump cylinder, spring means normally maintaining said piston in spaced relation with respect to the closed end of said cylinder, and an operating member for moving said piston in said cylinder against the influence of said spring means.

5. A combination iiatiron and clothes clampV ener, comprising an iron body having an ironing face including a nose and a heel, a spray nozzle arranged adjacent said nose, a water reservoir arranged at said heel and having a fiat wall inclined to said ironing face and adapted to support said iron body in an elevated position, a handle interposed between said nose and heel and carried by said iron body, a tubular connection extending between said spray nozzle and said reservoir, a pump associated with said tubular connection to force water from said reservoir to said spray nozzle, and a one-way check valve arranged in said spray nozzle and adapted to maintain a column of water in said tubular connection during periods of time when said iron body is resting in an elevated position.

PATRICK J. FITZGERALD. 

